Extraverts are given permission to skip this post, that is, unless you desire to authentically understand the introverts in your life. If you are unfamiliar with the terminology, which I believe is often Misunderstood, please take time to complete a quick online assessment of the MBTI to learn more. For the rest of us Misunderstood Introverts, please feel free to nod your head, shout a few “Amens!”, or mutter softly a ‘That’ll Preach!” I expect for most of you; a quiet nod will be sufficient, nothing more is needed.

Coincidences do happen, there is randomness in our world; however, more often than not, when words or images repeat in my life, that is God doing what He does and engaging His Divine Activating System (click to read more on that topic). Once again while being Respectfully Mystified, I laughed out loud at Tim Ross’s genuine description of what it means to be an introvert, especially when God asks us to do extroverted tasks.

While describing God’s calling to preach, Ross shares, “I’m an introvert. I didn’t want to do this. I went to school…to be a homicide detective…I just wanted to show up when everybody was dead because I’m an introvert. I didn’t want to talk. The Lord never factored my personality when he called me to preach.” In efforts to make this point even further, Ross adds, “Y’all are wearing me out just by sitting there looking at me. You’re so draining as a group…I’m going to need six hours of recovery after this day just to get over you and you’ve done nothing but sit there and look at me.” Only the Misunderstood Introverts can laugh out loud at Ross’s description and empathize.

Now, let me see if I can weave the threads together into some kind of pattern. Do you know how many times in the last three months I have planned an ice cream party…in my head and never issued an invitation? Introversion. Or how thrilled I was to have a day between returning from a group trip to Belize and reuniting in Nashville with life-long friends? Introversion. Days with no appointments on my calendar except a massage? Introversion. But you know what? God laughs at planning out my introversion. Not at the need for self-care, but at the way I rigidly try to control my time (Enneagram 5) when He has other plans.

So, you know what happened this morning, even before I listened and laughed at Ross’s message? This Misunderstood Introvert, who has no desire to schedule anything else in her life, issued an invitation to some Godly women to prayerfully consider gathering together to love on and support each other as we attempt to Flourish at Life. And as I researched previous posts to ensure I wasn’t repeating myself, I was guided to the post You’re Invited! I don’t know where God is leading this Misunderstood Introvert who loves people but also needs alone time. This crazy woman who will often disappear with an Irish Exit and no one has any idea where she went. But I do know God is moving, He is asking all of us to live into our avanah, our God-Given Space, whether introverted or extraverted, shy or bold. What might He be asking you to do that is outside your comfort zone today? Pray for discernment, read Scripture, request wise counsel, but when He reaches out His hand and says, “Follow Me,” grab that hand and Never Let Go!

Reference:

Ross, T. (2025, July 21). Side characters. Fresh Life Church. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytAeFKaUSRA&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Ffreshlife.church%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Ffreshlife.church&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY